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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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3,210 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

32nd Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

The proceedings of the 32nd Aerospace Mechanism Symposium are reported. NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) hosted the symposium that was held at the Hilton Oceanfront Hotel in Cocoa Beach, Florida on May 13-15, 1998. The symposium was cosponsored by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space and the Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium Committee. During these days, 28 papers were presented. Topics included robotics, deployment mechanisms, bearing, actuators, scanners, boom and antenna release, and test equipment.

S W Walker↗
NASA NTRS1995

High-Performance Reactionless Scan Mechanism

A high-performance reactionless scan mirror mechanism was developed for space applications to provide thermal images of the Earth. The design incorporates a unique mechanical means of providing reactionless operation that also minimizes weight, mechanical resonance operation to minimize power, combined use of a single optical encoder to sense coarse and fine angular position, and a new kinematic mount of the mirror. A flex pivot hardware failure and current project status are discussed.

Ellen I Williams↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neuromorphic overparameterisation and few-shot learning in multilayer physical neural networks

Abstract Physical neuromorphic computing, exploiting the complex dynamics of physical systems, has seen rapid advancements in sophistication and performance. Physical reservoir computing, a subset of neuromorphic computing, faces limitations due to its reliance on single systems. This constrains output dimensionality and dynamic range, limiting performance to a narrow range of tasks. Here, we engineer a suite of nanomagnetic array physical reservoirs and interconnect them in parallel and series to create a multilayer neural network architecture. The output of one reservoir is recorded, scaled and virtually fed as input to the next reservoir. This networked approach increases output dimensionality, internal dynamics and computational performance. We demonstrate that a physical neuromorphic system can achieve an overparameterised state, facilitating meta-learning on small training sets and yielding strong performance across a wide range of tasks. Our approach’s efficacy is further demonstrated through few-shot learning, where the system rapidly adapts to new tasks.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Power and particle exhaust in the ST-E1 fusion power plant

Power exhaust challenges and potential solutions for a 5 m major radius, low-aspect ratio burning tokamak have been explored. 1D edge plasma models have been used to screen for access to detachment using short and long outer divertor legs in double and single null configurations, using Ar as the primary impurity and assuming tungsten plasma-facing components (PFCs). These show that detachment access can be accessed for all but the most conservative assumptions on scrape-off layer (SOL) width and power, but that trade-offs will be required between magnet engineering and the size of the acceptable window of as-yet uncertain plasma parameters. SOLPS-ITER was used to further model selected plasma scenarios, confirming that Ar seeding can be used to achieve dissipative divertor scenarios with peak deposited heat fluxes below 15 MWm -2 . Initial scoping of first wall loads and positioning of limiters has been carried out, showing the feasibility of protecting the breeding blanket wall during steady state without impeding tritium breeding. Initial PFC technology selection is also presented, identifying this as a critical area where further work is needed to find an attractive solution for helium-cooled PFCs that can handle high heat fluxes without excessive power requirements. Key questions and trade-offs for concept development have been identified, including: how to achieve high radiation for reduction of SOL power without core performance degradation; whether power exhaust can be well-controlled in a double null plasma; mechanical design and materials challenges of high-heat flux PFCs; and control of material erosion, redeposition and tritium retention.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nitrene generation and transfer for unnatural biosynthesis in living cells

Abstract Synthetic biology has enabled the production of natural and unnatural products from inexpensive sustainable feedstocks. Yet, the scope of available products has been limited largely to compounds accessible from nature’s chemical reactions. Evolved enzymes can catalyse reactions of unnatural substrates or reactions not found in nature but often require the addition of synthetic reagents to purified enzymes or to resting cells containing those enzymes. Here we show that chemical reactions of metabolic intermediates produced intracellularly in living cells can include intermolecular nitrene transfers. The biosynthesis of N -acetoxyanilines, in combination with the generation and transfer of N -aryl nitrene intermediates from them catalysed by a cytochrome P450, generates amino alcohols, diamines, diarylamines and aminoalkyl arenes from simple carbon feedstocks. These products—common substructures of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals—are challenging to synthesize by standard organic chemistry and were produced from inexpensive, renewable feedstocks. Evolution of the enzymes in this pathway showed that titres can be increased by engineering and that the products can be synthesized with high enantioselectivity.

Donnell, Isaac↗
NASA NTRS1992

Deployment and retrieval mechanism redesigned for Spartan spacecraft on the STS

The Spartan Release Engage Mechanism (REM) is a system designed to restrain the Spartan spacecraft during Space Transportation System (STS) launch and landing. The mechanism is designed to allow deployment and retrieval of the Spartan free flyer spacecraft from the shuttle payload bay. Because current Spartan spacecraft payloads are much heavier than payloads intended for the original REM, an extensive redesign, analysis, and test program was necessary. Also, increased emphasis on safety in the post-Challenger era prompted a reevaluation of possible failures. Much of the design effort focused on improving the latch mechanism gearbox. Key concerns were effective gear lubrication, thermal gradients at the gearbox mounts, operation at thermal extremes, and gear-train failure contingencies. Increased concern for reliability led to the design of an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) backup latch system.

Greg Galloway↗
DOE OSTI2026

Biocatalyst discovery and design for plastics deconstruction: A multi‐scale perspective

Plastic waste accumulation poses significant environmental challenges due to a lack of economical solutions for the molecular deconstruction of diverse synthetic polymers. Biological‐based degradation offers promise but is hindered by the crystallinity, hydrophobicity, and additive complexity of plastics, which restrict biocatalyst access and activity. To address these problems, we propose a multi‐scale framework that combines detailed materials characterization, optimization of plastic‐biomolecular interfacial interactions, and enhancement of biocatalytic kinetics to develop effective plastic‐deconstructing enzymes. This approach leverages principles from reaction kinetics, transport and interfacial phenomena, and enzyme engineering to systematically address barriers across diverse plastic types. Our framework aims to accelerate the discovery and optimization of biocatalysts capable of scalable, selective, and efficient deconstruction of plastic waste. These advances hold potential to enable sustainable biological recycling and upcycling pathways, contributing to global efforts in mitigating plastic pollution and promoting circular material economies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mechanical, Electrochemical & Thermal Modeling of Electric Vehicle Batteries for Crash Simulation (CRADA CRD-19-00811 Final Report)

Under the proposed effort in partnership with Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) will cooperate with HMC to develop mathematical models for battery cells and modules for simulating abuse response in batteries subject to the type of mechanical crushing that can occur in a full motor vehicle crash.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Biochemical approaches for synthesis of performance-advantaged polymers from lignocellulosic biomass

Lignocellulose is an abundant renewable feedstock for production of sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials. The structural complexity of lignocellulose provides key material properties and inspires the design of advanced materials. However, this same complexity also presents challenges for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into new materials with consistent properties. Conventional physical and chemical strategies for valorization of biomass to new materials are often limited by the technical challenges of precisely manipulating complex feedstocks, sensitivity to feedstock variability, and associated costs. In contrast, biological approaches are capable of selectively manipulating complex architectures under mild conditions. Recent advances demonstrate the potential of biological and hybrid biochemical methods to tailor biomass-derived polymers and generate new materials. This review provides an overview of biological strategies to valorize lignocellulosic biomass into novel materials, highlighting approaches for in planta engineering, biochemical modification of natural biomass polymers, microbial funneling of deconstructed biomass, and direct biosynthesis of novel polymers. In combination, these approaches open new avenues for the synthesis of performance-advantaged materials from lignocellulosic biomass.

Qian, Liangyu [ORNL] (ORCID:0009000212029938)↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Extending mARC II Arc-Jet Test Duration via Design and Implementation of Model System Cooling Sleeve

The mARC II is a 30 kW arc-jet facility at NASA Ames Research Center used to generate high-enthalpy flows for low-cost thermal protection system (TPS) technology development. Sustained operation of downstream instrumentation and material samples is constrained by thermal loading transmitted through the arc-jet test environment, limiting achievable run times and experimental throughput. This work presents the design, integration, and validation of a cooling sleeve implemented on the sweep arm drive motor feedthrough to mitigate thermal accumulation during testing. The addition of the cooling sleeve is a simple, robust upgrade that translates directly into enhanced facility capability by supporting longer run durations, reduced turnaround time, and higher throughput.

numerical simulations↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Extending mARC II Arc-Jet Test Duration via Design and Implementation of Model System Cooling Sleeve

The mARC II is a 30 kW arc-jet facility at NASA Ames Research Center used to generate high-enthalpy flows for low-cost thermal protection system (TPS) technology development. Sustained operation of downstream instrumentation and material samples is constrained by thermal loading transmitted through the arc-jet test environment, limiting achievable run times and experimental throughput. This work presents the design, integration, and validation of a cooling sleeve implemented on the sweep arm drive motor feedthrough to mitigate thermal accumulation during testing. The addition of the cooling sleeve is a simple, robust upgrade that translates directly into enhanced facility capability by supporting longer run durations, reduced turnaround time, and higher throughput.

sting arm↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mechanical, Electrochemical & Thermal Models - Training (CRADA CRD-19-00798 Final Report)

Under the proposed effort in partnership with Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NLR) will host Dr. Jaeyoung Lim from HMC for a period of one year to jointly develop mathematical models for battery cells and modules subject to mechanical crush. NLR will assist with the development of mathematical models that Dr. Lim will incorporate into his research effort on new concepts of mobility with electric vehicles.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗